Tag Archives: techniques

Working with Cerceris fumipennis—Part 2

Posted on July 15, 2012 by Ted C. MacRae

During the 6-week period from late May to early July this year, I collected ~400 jewel beetle specimens representing at least 20 species (see Working with Cerceris fumipennis—Part 1). A final accounting of the species represented won’t be done until this winter, but the … Continue reading →

Posted in Buprestidae, Cicindelidae, Coleoptera, Crabronidae, Hymenoptera | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 19 Comments

Working with Cerceris fumipennis—Part 1

Posted on July 13, 2012 by Ted C. MacRae

For nearly 30 years, jewel beetles (family Buprestidae) have been my primary research interest. While some species in this family have long been regarded as forest and landscape pests, my interest in the group has a more biosystematic focus. A faunal … Continue reading →

Posted in Buprestidae, Coleoptera, Crabronidae, Hymenoptera | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 20 Comments

Cicada killer on the fly

Posted on July 11, 2012 by Ted C. MacRae

I don’t normally spend much time trying to photograph insects in flight. To really do it right requires some rather specialized equipment, including very high-speed flash, and a bucketload of patience and skill. John Abbott exemplifies those whose great talent has produced … Continue reading →

Posted in Crabronidae, Hymenoptera | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

The importance of background and apparent light size

Posted on July 7, 2012 by Ted C. MacRae

I’m still getting submissions for ID Challenge #19 and don’t quite have the followup post ready yet, so I’ll give it a couple more days. In the meantime, I’d like to re-share the photo below, originally shown a few weeks ago … Continue reading →

Posted in Buprestidae, Coleoptera | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Out with the old (but on a good note)

Posted on April 28, 2012 by Chris Brown

This past March was the warmest on record here in Missouri and that made for some nice opportunities to get out and photograph. That said, my enthusiasm for macro photography has been somewhat tempered since my camera body is getting old and showing … Continue reading →

Posted in Gelastocoridae, Hemiptera | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Seeing the unseen

Posted on March 26, 2012 by Ted C. MacRae

While trying to nab a cicada from the small trees planted on the grounds at our experiment station here in Fontezuela, Argentina, I happened to notice a bit of movement on one of the branches nearest to me (while the … Continue reading →

Posted in Hemiptera | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

A tortoise beetle gift

Posted on March 25, 2012 by Ted C. MacRae

A few days after returning from travel through northern Argentina, I found a jar on my desk with this beetle in it. One of my colleagues has seen it in the field while I was away and figured I would be interested … Continue reading →

Posted in Chrysomelidae, Coleoptera | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Retrachydes thoracicus – times four!

Posted on March 22, 2012 by Ted C. MacRae

Disclaimer—these are not great photos! A few days ago I posted this little quip as my status on Facebook: “Cool! Found a Retrachydes thoracicus thoracicus on the sidewalk outside my hotel!” I chuckled a little as I posted it, knowing that only … Continue reading →

Posted in Cerambycidae, Coleoptera | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments